Israel is seeking to strike a deal under which a small number of Israeli hostages held in Gaza would be released in exchange for a month-long ceasefire, Israeli media reported, citing the Anadolu news agency.

During meetings on Sunday and Monday in Doha, Mossad director David Barnea consulted with CIA chief William Burns and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani about facilitating a deal between Israel and Hamas, according to with the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.

The newspaper reported that Barnea offered to release between 11 and 14 Israeli hostages, including all the remaining women and the elderly, in exchange for a 30-day ceasefire.

Under the proposal, Israel would also release Palestinian prisoners held in its prisons, with the exact number being discussed in the negotiations.

The report said the proposal will soon be presented to Hamas leaders to assess whether the group is willing to return to talks on a “small deal”.

Sources with knowledge of the matter cited by the newspaper said that in order to encourage Hamas to accept a deal that does not include a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops, Israel is expected to commit to freeing more Palestinian prisoners.

There has been no official confirmation from the mediators or Israel about the proposal. Israel’s Hayom newspaper, however, reported that officials of the right-wing ruling coalition agreed to the proposal, saying that “any proposal that does not include an end to the war can be discussed.”

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Israel is considering this proposal, while mediators will consider Hamas’ response.

Although Hamas did not immediately react to the Israeli reports, Hamas leader Sami Abu Zuhri said at a press conference on Tuesday that “Hamas has responded to the mediators’ request to explore new proposals for a ceasefire and exchange of hostages,” having previously insisted that by implementing agreements reached in previous negotiations.

He said the organization had held “a number of meetings on this issue,” noting that “other meetings will be held in the same context,” without elaborating.

Abu Zuhri reiterated that Hamas is open “to any agreement or idea that will end the suffering of our people in Gaza, bring about a complete ceasefire, ensure the withdrawal of the occupation from the entire territory, lift the blockade, will provide relief, support and shelter for our people, support rebuilding and secure a serious deal for prisoners.”

Israel estimates that around 101 prisoners are still being held by Hamas in Gaza, some of whom are believed to have already been killed by indiscriminate Israeli airstrikes across the densely populated enclave.

Mediation efforts led by the US, Egypt and Qatar have so far failed to produce a ceasefire in Gaza, but Washington says the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Shinwar by Israel on October 18 could lead to a major breakthrough. progress in talks.

Hamas, however, says the bloody conflict will end when Israel ends its military campaign in the enclave. According to estimates by the Gaza Ministry of Health more than 43,060 people since last October.